Family Works Together Like a System

In class this week we discussed theories surrounding the family and one of those theories dealt with families as a system. For one of our assignments we had to draw a family map showing the different relationships between each family member. Salvador Minuchin used a family map to lay out the quality of interactions and boundaries he observed between different family members. It was interesting to take my observations of my how my family interacted with each other and decide if they had healthy or unhealthy boundaries. For some family members it was easy to determine the level of interaction they had with each other and others I had to think about for a while. Another form of family mapping is Genogram which does similar things and medical professionals have even used it to track and record medical conditions in families. If you are interested at all in making a family map just search "family mapping" in google and it will come up with how to do it and what the different symbols mean.

We went over four different theories involving the family which are: conflict theory, systems theory, exchange theory, and symbolic interaction theory. I'll briefly explain each, but I will mainly focus on systems theory. Conflict theory deals with someone being in control, having authority, and being influential. Conflict doesn't have to be a bad thing but it often times is. If we can learn how to correctly discuss and handle conflict, we wouldn't hate it as much. Exchange theory is the idea that if you do something for someone, they owe you something in return. If we are putting more into a relationship than we are getting, then we tend to leave that relationship. Symbolic interaction theory is the idea that you are shaped through the experiences you go through. The communication and interactions between people are symbolic. Systems theory is that each family member does their part and works with others to make things work together. Every family has their own set of rules and roles that influence the individuals and the family as a whole. Family rules are learned through observations, experiences, and feedback. Family roles can be placed on you naturally and sometimes you are expected to fill a certain role.

Within a system there are subsystems and that is the same for families. Examples of family subsystems are excessive or marital subsystem and sibling subsystem. There are things that are only discussed and shared between spouses where they decide what to share with their children. Sibling subsystems are those siblings who share things between each other but don't share with another sibling. These subsystems are created and depend on the type of relationship and interaction the family members have. Since a family is like a system, they all depend on each other and are all affected by each other. When one person is having a hard time or a rough day it effects the other family members because every member tries to help each other and carry part of the burden. In class there were four students acting as a family to show this in a demonstration. The four students held hands in a circle, and one would be pulled signifying that they had a bad day. As one was pulled the others pulled, in the opposite direction, on him/her to keep the "family" together. They helped carry and support each other like families should do. It is better to go through things together than to try going through things on your own. 

I hope you enjoyed this week's blog! Family is important and can be like our own little community. Please feel free to comment.